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Ashcroft Observatory

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CHURCH SERVICE

“No one has learned the meaning of living until he has surrendered his ego to the service of his fellow man. Service to others is akin to duty, the fulfillment of which brings true joy.”
― Thomas S. Monson

The story has already been told of Theron missing church on the day a new bishopric was formed, only to find out later that he was one of the counselors. Here’s how he found out about it. Later in the day, he got a phone call from Lehi Jones, saying, "Guess we oughta meet, hadn't we?" Lehi was commanding officer of the home guard in a large area of the southern end of the state and dad was commanding officer of the Cedar City unit and so thought that was the reason for the meeting. When Dad got to Lehi's house, Rulon Knell was there and he remembers wishing Rulon would hurry and get over with whatever he was there for and go home so he and Lehi could talk over their business. He guesses that Rulon was thinking the same thing about him. As they continued in small talk, Rulon said, "Say, I hear they got a new bishopric tonight". Lehi said, "Yes, that's right". Rulon said, "Who is it?" Lehi said, "Us". That is the only time Dad has ever known of two counselors being sustained in a meeting without either of their approval.

The following blessing was pronounced upon his head as he was set apart:

“We your brethren unitedly lay our hands upon your head and ordain you to the office of High Priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and bestow upon you all the gifts, powers and blessings pertaining to this holy calling in the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, and we ordain and set you apart as Second Counselor to Bishop Jones in the Cedar Second Ward of the Parowan Stake of Zion, and we say unto you, Brother Ashcroft, let your voice be heard in counsel, that it will help the Bishop in drawing wise and righteous conclusions.  Remember, it will be the Bishop’s duty to make decisions and your duty to counsel and advise him and when decisions are reached you will assist him in carrying out the work in your Ward.

“May you have tact and wisdom.  May you be humble in the discharge of your duties.  May you seek the Lord that he may assist you in your righteous desires.  May you have joy and satisfaction in meeting together often.

“Our Father which art in Heaven, we ask that Thou will consider and bless him with Thy spirit and blessing to accomplish these things.  May he so order his life that the Holy Ghost be his constant companion.  May he be influenced for good and be an instrument in Thy hands for doing much good.

“We ask thee to bless him in all his undertakings in life.  Bless him with prosperity that he may enjoy and devote his time to this work.  Bless him in his home that his family may support him and encourage him in his work.  Bless him with a knowledge and spirit of the Gospel.

“We seal upon you, Brother Ashcroft, these blessings and we do it by the authority of the Priesthood which we bear and in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

In 1961, Theron was called to be the bishop of the Cedar 2nd Ward. He wanted someone with a good knowledge of the scriptures as one counselor and so he selected Doyle Ipson, who was a seminary teacher. Milton Sevy had been working with the Aaronic Priesthood and had high recommendations in regards to working with the boys and so Theron chose him as his other counselor.

ater Doyle received an advancement and went to California to teach seminary and so Gary Smith took his place.  Gary was especially good working with young men and encouraging them to go on missions.

After three years as bishop, Theron was called as Stake President.  He selected as counselors Robert B. White and Morris Shirts.  They needed to select a new bishop to replace Theron.  That was the first order of business when they met on Monday night.  President Ashcroft suggested one man and Bob White suggested another, but they decided they were not ready to make a decision.  They went home and prayed about it.  When they met the next Monday night, President Ashcroft said, "I don't know why I didn't think of it last week,  but I think Gaylord Whitney is the best man for the job".  Bob White said, "That is the very man I had thought of".  They called him to come down to the stake office.  When they mentioned it to him, Gaylord was very overcome with emotion, but he took a little appointment book from his pocket and opened it to the previous Thursday.  There was written, "Today it was made known to me that I would be the next bishop of the Cedar Second Ward."

During the time before Theron could be replaced as bishop, he served in both capacities. When Judy left on her mission, she asked her father, her bishop and her stake president to speak at her farewell, and the same man filled all three assignments

Later Bob White was called to be the President of the SUSC Stake and Conrad Hatch was called to be Theron’s counselor. President Hatch was sustained as President of the Cedar West Stake when Theron went to Ireland on his mission.